A campaign to bring more wildflowers and biodiversity to Lincoln while reducing carbon is launching this month.
Launched by Lincoln-based My Square Metre, Plant it Forward will see local businesses pledging to plant one square metre of wildflowers on behalf of a business of their choice, with that business then doing the same to pass it forward, and so on.
My Square Metre is the first of its kind online carbon offsetting calculator, which identifies often overlooked daily carbon-producing activities, and offsets through wildflower planting.
With an aim for Plant it Forward to reach 2,000 square metres of wildflowers, My Square Metre is hoping that through the interest and support of local businesses, Lincoln will be taking a step closer to a net zero carbon future as well as creating new habitats and boosting biodiversity.
In Britain, 97% of wildflower meadows have been lost since the second world war and 53% of native plants have been lost in the last 20 years due to human impacts. Meadow loss leads to a reduction in pollinators which are essential in food production.
When a square metre of wildflowers is planted through My Square Metre, the land is managed and protected for at least 30 years and the wildflowers will feed 24 bees each year for those 30 years. In addition, using wildflower planting to offset carbon is highly effective as they sequest carbon within the first year of planting, in comparison to tree planting which can take years to sequester.
To launch Plant it Forward, Lincoln business EcomeOne has committed to being the first company to sign up and will be passing the ‘wildflower baton’ on to Eagle Eye Innovations.
Ed Crowther, founder of My Square Metre, said: “The aim of Plant it Forward is to create meaningful change together, in an easily accessible, affordable and fun way. The cost of planting one square metre of wildflowers through My Square Metre is £10 plus vat, and the impact on our environment is considerable.
“Lincoln and Lincolnshire, like all areas of the country, have seen an extreme reduction in its habitats and biodiversity, as well as the increase in carbon production over the last 20 years. The Plant it Forward campaign is to target this through collaboration – bringing businesses together to make a difference.
“The team and I hope this is the start of a long-standing initiative that will continue to run, helping to build a better future for Lincoln. Big thanks to EcomeOne and Eagle Eye Innovations on getting us started!”
Carrianne Dukes at EcomeOne said: “We are gifting square meters of wildflowers to our clients to support them in their sustainability journey. This allows us to showcase our commitment to helping the planet, while building relationships in a sustainable and meaningful way.”
The target of 2,000 square metres will bring: 6 Tonnes of Co2 sequestered, 1m wildflowers, 24,000 bees every year for 30 years, 285 butterfly pairs, enough insects to feed 10 small birds, 400+ mice and voles and a home for hundreds of different species above and below ground.
